City will protect us from secondhand smoke

It is fitting that on the same day we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of our nation's greatest leaders, who committed himself completely to social justice, Chicago will begin to address the injustice of unwanted exposure to and suffering caused by secondhand smoke.

On Monday, most public places in Chicago will be smoke-free. And with that news the American Cancer Society, the Smoke-Free Chicago coalition and all Chicagoans can take a deep breath--and a bow.

On Monday, most workers will not be forced to breathe 69 cancer-causing toxins contained in secondhand smoke while earning a living. Residents and visitors to this great city will be able to sit down in restaurants and enjoy their meals without the unwanted and poisonous ingredient of secondhand smoke.

And for this, we say thank you.

First, we thank our legislative champions. Ald. Ed Smith (28th) was a tireless leader, committed to the smoke-free cause throughout years of discussions and debate. He was vigilant in fighting to protect everyone's right to breathe clean air. He was assisted by Ald. Pat O'Connor (40th), who helped navigate the ordinance through the City Council.

Second, we thank and honor Mary Rondoni, who unselfishly shared her cancer story with Chicagoland. Speaking as a 20-year hospitality industry worker continuously exposed to secondhand smoke, she was a tireless advocate for justice for workers. She brought the research, data and statistics to life for all of us.

Third, we salute the 445 Smoke-Free Chicago coalition organizations and the hundreds of thousands of citizens and volunteers, including many leaders in the restaurant and hospitality industry, who contacted the mayor and the members of the City Council to provide a strong voice that demanded action.

And finally we thank the City Council and Mayor Richard M. Daley, who ultimately embraced a smoke-free Chicago.

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 2,900 Illinoisans died from exposure to secondhand smoke--people who endured the injustice of inhaling deadly toxins. As Illinois' and the nation's leading cancer-fighting organization, we are proud and delighted that this law will, in fact, save lives, prevent cancer and other diseases, diminish suffering and reduce health-care costs.

On a day when we celebrate and honor Dr. King and his social justice legacies, we also celebrate a new social justice victory for Chicago workers, visitors and residents.